I conducted a survey a couple of years ago where I asked several visual artists the following question related to the crossroads of faith and art:
“What Role Does God Play Concerning Your Talent?”
A) “My artistic ability is a gift from God.”
B) “God has nothing to do with my artistic talent.”
C) “Not really sure.”
The feedback I received was very interesting, so interesting that I launched the survey again just recently.
Now, to be fair, the question was posed to an audience of secular visual artists and a separate audience of Christian visual artists. We want to do the same thing again.
Here’s what the response has been at the creation of this article from a secular audience:
A) “My artistic ability is a gift from God.” 38%
B) “God has nothing to do with my artistic talent.” 54%
C) “Not really sure.” 8%
So what would YOUR response be? Share your thoughts on the matter with us here and cast your vote in the poll above:
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I guess now is a good time to have this conversation.
I agree 100% with what Lew added.
Let me ask this: “How much of the world’s culture still remains and muses our artistic talent/gift?”
Paul speaks of him being crucified to the world (culture; Gal. 6:14).
I have no desire to do a “good work” for God and still be influenced by carnal motives…assuming God is just going to like it.
Paul had a good trade of tent making, but it was “good” because it was the means to a justified ends…Paul needed to get into Rome to further and finance the ministry given to him, so his trade was used as a key to open opportunities…other than that…it had no value to him.
So I ask, honestly,…Do I want to be like Christian Stan Lee or do I want Christ to be glorified at the expense of my talent?
If I hold any carnal delusional vision of what an artist in Christ is, then I will chase an American Dream opposed from the Eternal Revelation…and Lord knows what I’ll be creating, for God’s sake.
Whatever Saul (Paul) was before the Damascus encounter…He counted all of it as dung (waste) that he might win Christ…this is my point.
I love to draw, but Christ must be my motive to draw…not worldly culture stamped with…”IN JESUS NAME,” assuming that’s a worthy work of Christ…I want my art to testify that I met the Lord, not that I can draw christian themed art.
The core of the parable of talents was that of “risk”…meaning the gifts of God not accompanied by risk (stepping out, proving, testing, uninvested into) is dead, unfruitful, unbeneficial… but risk doesn’t validate foolish actions. This is my wonderful struggle
I’m not trying to be deep, just clear…does it make sense?
For a number of years now, it’s been my thorough conviction that art, like science, and faith are all gifts from God. How these gifts manifest themselves in His people is something else. I have read more books, especially the Bible, about gifts & talent, and God’s will for my life than I can name. I am completely convinced that my abilities, how I’m designed & created with talent, is a deliberate set of “presents”, if you will, from my Creator. It then becomes my obligation to use those gifts that God might be glorified and that when my Master returns he will find that what He gave me has been “invested” and has yielded a return in His favor. I am eluding, of course, to the parable of the talents – which I believe is not an accidental naming for both a bar of gold and human abilities. God is a Creator of beauty, both abstract and realistic, and His artists are privileged in that He has shared something of His creative abilities in us for His glory. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Here’s what we’re currently seeing from the secular visual artist audience that’s taken the poll(many more have responded than our Christian audience, btw):
A) “My artistic ability is a gift from God.” 38.89%
B) “God has nothing to do with my artistic talent.” 50.00%
C) “Not really sure.” 11.11%
Gimel: Thanks for your honest, transparent feedback concerning the topic and the survey!
Tony-
To be honest with you…comic books and cartoons were my motivation to draw and playing with my toys helped my in story-telling.
If I had a gift to claim, it would be “teaching,” not because I’m good at it, but because I am teachable.
This is a good survey, because I often asked the questions…who/what started this artistic fire and what’s keeping it burning?
Finding the truth behind my artistic agenda has been a continuous struggle with me.